I think that the bells have more of a positive connotation. The bells may
symbolize danger, but she is not afraid, her father is able to carry her
through the danger. Also, when bells ring it is a short period in time,
much like the short period a daughter is able to bond with her father. We
grow up and forget about the strong bond that we once had.

The bells symbolize two things. First, the memory or thought of the
relationship that she had with her father, and secondly, a warning sign.
The three rings of danger are not a circus act, but rather a warning. If
something went wrong at a circus, like a fire in the circus tent, the staff
at the circus would have a secret warning that alert the other people that
worked there. The staff could then evacuate the circus tent without
causing commotion or turmoil. The reference to the "naughty clown" is most
likely the staff member that did not warn the audience, which caused the
"wild parade", or stampede, out of the circus tent.

the significance of The Bells--this is much more of a dark memory from her
childhood. The bells are first seen trembling for the flying man--"the
three rings of danger."--the ringing takes you back to the bells. And is
repeated in her next stanza with "love, love, love"--is it love or is
another sign of danger? Is this a realization of where the danger begins at
this circus? and the bells come back for the final sentence--"all the
trembling bells of you were mine." That memory may read full of love, but
trembling bells in this poem equate to danger--it was a warning for
Anne--probably about her dad.

Julie from United States

Comment 3 of 8, added on October 24th, 2005 at 1:08 PM.

I think the point of this poem is that she is remembering a good time she
once had with her father. I think the significance of the bells are that
they are something she remembers hearing while she was with her dad, so
bells remind her of the good times she had with her dad.

Kasey from United States

Comment 2 of 8, added on March 9th, 2005 at 1:49 PM.

I think that the bells are symbolizing her emotions. In the poem she is
talking about how she feels very close to her father, and how they are
connected at this moment of time. Her and her father (or whatever person
she was thinking of) share their feelings. That is my insignificant
opinion anyway.

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